About Dr. Sarang Patil

I am Dr. Sarang Patil, a naturopathic physician, yoga therapist, researcher, and health educator working in the field of holistic and integrative health. My work brings together clinical practice, yoga, naturopathy, psychophysiology research, teaching, and preventive health. It comes back to one question I keep returning to: how can health be understood and supported without separating the body, mind, behaviour, and everyday life from one another?

Education and Medical Training

My academic and professional journey began in naturopathy and yoga, followed by doctoral research in psychophysiology.

• BNYS: SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, under Mangalore University.
• PhD in Psychophysiology: Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (sVYASA), Bangalore, completed January 2007. Doctoral thesis: “A Comparison of Psychophysiological Effects of Two Yogic Meditation Techniques,” guided by Dr. H. R. Nagendra and Dr. Shirley Telles.

Professional Journey

My work has never been limited to a single role. Alongside clinical practice, I have been involved in teaching, research, and professional and public service.

Clinical roles

• Medical Director, ANANDKUNJ, Shivambu Naturopathy and Yoga Ashram, Kolhapur (since September 2002)
• Founder Director, SAMPURNA SWASTHYA, Holistic Health Retreat Center, Pune (since September 2016)
• Consulting Yoga/Naturopathic Physician, Arogyadhama, sVYASA
• Consulting Yoga/Naturopathic Physician, Lotus Hospital & Research Center

Academic and teaching roles

• Honorary Professor, Government Naturopathy College and Hospital, Kagal (since September 2024)
• Visiting Professor, Department of Yoga and Biosciences, sVYASA (since September 2002)

Research roles

• Research Fellow, Department of Yoga Research, sVYASA
• Director for Research, KHOJ, Center for Research in Preventive and Integrative Medicine
• Secretary, Shivambu Health Research Institute
• Reviewer, Indian Journal of Yoga

Professional and public service roles

• Member, Governing Body, National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, Government of India (since 2009)
• General Secretary, National Governing Council, Indian Naturopathy and Yoga Medical Graduates Association (INYGMA)

Clinical Approach

When working with an individual, I try to first understand the person’s concern, history, circumstances, and goals. The appropriate response may involve lifestyle education, yoga-based practices, naturopathic approaches, medical evaluation, referral, or a combination of these. There is no single approach suitable for everyone.

A few principles guide this work. Start with the person, not just the symptom. Respect evidence, while recognising that evidence varies in quality and certainty. Recognise the value of lifestyle: sleep, nutrition, movement, stress, relationships, and daily routines all influence health. Use complementary practices responsibly, since their appropriate use depends on the individual, the practice, and the situation. And know the limits. Not every health concern can or should be approached through lifestyle or complementary methods alone; some require investigation, diagnosis, medication, procedures, or specialist care.

Yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, the Panchakosha framework, and other traditional or complementary approaches are part of this work, but they are never presented as substitutes for necessary medical diagnosis or treatment. They sit alongside appropriate medical evaluation, not in place of it.

Academic, Research and Teaching Contributions

Research has remained an important part of my professional journey. My academic and research interests have included psychophysiology, yoga-based relaxation, P300 and other electrophysiological measures, oxygen consumption and respiratory physiology, heart-rate variability (HRV), cognitive performance, and cyclic meditation.

My doctoral research examined the psychophysiological effects of two yogic meditation techniques, and I have remained involved in research, teaching, professional review, and academic activity since.

Evidence-Based and Patient-Centred Philosophy

I don’t see modern medicine and traditional health systems as needing to be an either-or choice. Modern medicine provides essential tools for diagnosis, acute care, and the treatment of disease. Yoga, naturopathy, and traditional systems offer different perspectives that may support wellbeing in appropriate circumstances.

The task is to be honest about the evidence, respectful of medical safety, and clear about where each approach belongs. Integrative health, in this sense, is not about replacing one system with another. It is about considering the whole person and using appropriate approaches responsibly.

Selected Books

My professional work has also included writing and contributing to health and yoga literature:

• Jivanacha Adhar Naisargic Ahar
• Panch-Kosha Chikitsa
• Ashtangik Chikitsa